3 Reasons Not To Buy Certified Refurbished Products

When it comes to saving money, buying products that have been certified refurbished can be very tempting. Especially since the “Certified Refurbished” would suggest that the manufacturer has taken the used product, whatever it may be, and fixed and repaired it so that it can now go back onto the market, and be sold.

In many ways, certified refurbished products are actually quite fantastic. Buying them allows you to save quite a bit of money, while still reaping the benefits of the product that you are buying. And, since many of them have been repaired by the manufacturer, they’re still very much usable and will last for a long time.

However, we’re not here to talk about the advantages and benefits that buying certified refurbished products could give you. Instead, we’re here to talk about why you really shouldn’t be buying certified refurbished products. And there are a number of reasons why you should reconsider if you intend to buy a certified refurbished product.

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In this quick guide, you’re going to learn all about the three main reasons why you shouldn’t buy certified refurbished products. In the end, you’re also going to learn a good alternative to buying certified refurbished products.

However, before we dive in, it’s important to mention that there are many different products that are sold under the “Certified Refurbished” label. Electronics being one of the main types of products, but there are certainly others. So, instead of focusing on a specific type of product, we’re going to focus on the basic flaws that can be applied to any certified refurbished product.

Most Manufacturers Have A Different Definition Of “Refurbished”

Every manufacturer that is in the business of reselling their own products, under the “Certified Refurbished” label, tends to have a specific definition of what the word “refurbished” actually means.

For some manufacturers, it refers to repairing the individual components of the device that they are reselling, and this device might be, for example, a smartphone. This process of refurbishment would include replacing the battery, fixing the screen, making sure every other component has been properly installed, and, just in general, ensuring that the product is usable and is able to function as best as it can, even though it has already been used.

For other manufacturers, the refurbishment process is far less strenuous. Instead of having to do with repairing the device, and ensuring that it’s working properly, the refurbishment process consists of wiping down the screen – if we’re using the smartphone example – and repairing any visible damage.

Learning what the refurbishment standards are for a particular manufacturer isn’t always easy, either. Some of the more popular manufacturers are open about their refurbishment practices, but many of them aren’t, and this can make it difficult to determine whether or not you are buying a product that will actually work the way you want it to or a semi-defective one.

You Don’t Know The Quality Of The Parts/Components Being Used To Refurbish The Product

This ties in with the above reason, but you usually don’t know the quality of the components/parts that the manufacturer is using to refurbish the product. Sometimes, you do, but most of the time, this information isn’t actually disclosed.

Essentially, this just means that you’re unaware of the quality of the product that you are actually going to be receiving. It might be really good and really useful, or it might be of rather poor quality, which is definitely not something that you want.

In many ways, it is this complete lack of clarity that can make purchasing certified refurbished products such a hassle since you never really know what you’re actually getting.

The Products That Are Refurbished In A High-Quality Manner Cost Nearly The Same Amount As Buying That Product New

Some manufacturers do an exceptional job at refurbishing and then reselling their products. There are a lot of great manufacturers that people buy certified refurbished products from all the time because they do an excellent job at refurbishing, but there is a small problem with this.

You see, when you get down to it, the prices for certified refurbished products and new products tend to be pretty different. Unless you’re buying a certified refurbished product from a manufacturer that actually does a really good job at properly refurbishing their products.

When this happens, though, it quickly becomes apparent that for only a little bit more money, you could buy that same product, in pristine condition. So, then the question is “Why should I buy the certified refurbished product when I can buy the new one?”

Price is obviously the answer to that question. But, since the prices are so similar, this ensures you really won’t be saving that much money when you buy refurbished, so the overall expenses are almost identical, which destroys the whole point of buying refurbished.

Are There Any Good Alternatives To Buying Certified Refurbished Products?

In the end, there are two good alternatives. One of which isn’t necessarily the most cost-effective, but it ensures that you end up purchasing a usable product that doesn’t give you any problems, related to the manufacturing.

This alternative is, of course, buying those products new, when you can, and if you can. When you buy a product that is new, you get the benefits of having a product that has never been used, that has no real problems or issues related to age or use, and, more often than not, the product will come with a nice warranty, as well.

The second alternative is that of buying certified refurbished products that come with good warranties. This does require some research on your part, but there are many good certified refurbished products that come with warranties that ensure the product is of good quality, and if it isn’t, you can send it back, and they will fix it for you.

One thing to note, though, is that some warranties are better than others, so make sure to do your research.

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